Helping You Make Fundraising Fun
I have to tell you these things! Because the people running your nonprofit are thinking about these things. They’re thinking,
“How can we make this nonprofit run more like a business, with RUTHLESS EFFICIENCY?” and this may be the wrong question to ask.
Maybe we’re mercenaries. Maybe we’re interlopers in the “pure” world of program services. Maybe we’re a salesperson, to be treated with disdain. Or maybe we’re a mysterious money bag, to be treated with awe and a little fear. I’ve seen all of these responses and more, when I go in to work at nonprofits.
We often make more than program staff. And of course, they feel resentful about that.
We, in turn, feel resentful if senior leadership do not fundraise enough, and we are not being paid to raise all or most of the money.
The Americans for the Arts has just done a significant, comprehensive look at the impact that the nonprofit arts have on our economy, and our arts programs add up to $135.2 BILLION more dollars for the economy.
“Have you put your name on a legacy donor wall somewhere yet?”
As I like to joke, my current net worth at present is about equal to my zero-dollar cell phone! The beauty of it is that as a couple in our early 30s with a young child and a big mortgage, we were able to create three, six-figure legacy gifts for our favorite charities! (Long time frame? Yes. But there is value here for the long-term.) So really, if you’re still waiting, your excuse had better be a good one!
RE:Philanthropy wrote this review of Dan Pallotta’s talk to the council on philanthropy, and I just want to shout, “FRABJOUS DAY!” So tell me, as a fundraiser, would you like a higher salary? Would you like grants to fund your salary so that you can keep this nonprofit afloat, instead of your org looking at [...]
I mean, come on! We have tech for-profits starting up every day, and no one says to them, “There are too many tech startups! Cut it out already, there’s not enough need!”
Featured on the Fundraising Fundamentals Podcast:
Featured on nationally syndicated Radio America show The Career Clinic with Maureen Anderson:
Speaker on Social Media at The City of Austin
Featured on The National Council of Nonprofits
Featured on the United Way Center for Nonprofits
